Melbourne Police: man arrested has history of assault, drug use and mental-health issues

Melbourne police say a man accused of deliberately crashing a car into pedestrians outside the city's main train station has a history of assault, drug use and mental-health issues. Twelve people remain in hospital after suffering injuries when the white sport utility vehicle hit pedestrians just before 5pm near the city's Flinders Street Station. A man in his 80s remains in a critical condition.

Police say what unfolded was deliberate but there is no evidence to suggest a connection with terrorism.   

Acting Victoria police chief Shane Patton says the police presence in the city will be increased over the next week but authorities are confident the incident is isolated.

"We're going to have hundreds more police who will be out and about. Obviously, there's a cricket game going on, it's a festive season, we have the carols, we have the Boxing Day Test. We have no increased threat for any of those events. Let's be clear: there is no increased threat." Mr Patton said.

An off-duty police officer arrested the 32-year-old driver, an Australian citizen of Afghan descent.

A 24-year-old man seen filming the aftermath was also arrested and found to be carrying knives in his bag.

While he is still in custody, police believe he is not linked to the incident.